World J Oncol

World Journal of Oncology, ISSN 1920-4531 print, 1920-454X online, Open Access

Article copyright, the authors; Journal compilation copyright, World J Oncol and Elmer Press Inc

Journal website https://wjon.elmerpub.com

Original Article

Volume 17, Number 3, June 2026, pages 357-365

Exploring Two Decades of Cancer Trends in Adolescents and Young Adults: Insights From a Resource-Restricted Country

↓ Figure 1. Most common cancers among AYA patients (%), year 2000–2022. (a) Distribution of the most common cancers reported across the entire AYA population. (b) Most common cancers among female AYA patients. (c) Most common cancers among male AYA patients. AYA: adolescent and young adult; CNS: central nervous system; HD: Hodgkin lymphoma; NHL: non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

↓ Figure 2. Trends in AYA cancer incidence across age group categories (number). AYA: adolescent and young adult.

↓ Figure 3. Age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) of AYA cancers by age group (per 100,000 population), year 2000–2022. AYA: adolescent and young adult.

↓ Figure 4. Overall survival of AYA cancer patients by age group category, year 2000–2022. AYA: adolescent and young adult.

↓ **Table 1.** Challenges in AYA Cancer Management
Key issues	Clinical and supportive needs	Barriers and challenges
AYA: adolescent and young adult.
Availability of early detection and screening tools (when indicated)	Need for advanced imaging and screening modalities beyond routine recommendations (e.g., breast MRI instead of mammogram).	Financial burden/high cost; limited convenience; restricted access
More aggressive disease compared to older patients	Requires intensified treatment approaches, including chemotherapy and immunotherapy (e.g., higher prevalence of triple-negative breast cancer).	Financial burden/high cost; delayed adverse events; limited access and availability of new drugs
Higher prevalence of pathogenic/likely pathogenic (P/LP) germline mutations	Need for standardized, simplified genetic testing guidelines across all tumor types.	Financial burden/high cost; family communication challenges and the complexity of cascade testing; risk of stigmatization
Fertility preservation	Many chemotherapeutic agents may impair fertility. Oocyte preservation and sperm banking should be addressed with patients after proper counseling. The process can be particularly challenging for younger patients.	Financial burden/high cost; limited access to fertility preservation services; procedural difficulty, especially for younger patients
Body image concerns	Need for access to reconstructive and plastic surgery (e.g., mastectomy reconstruction). Psychological impact on body image.	High cost of procedures; limited availability of specialized surgical services

↓ Table 1. Challenges in AYA Cancer Management

Key issues

Clinical and supportive needs

Barriers and challenges

AYA: adolescent and young adult.

Availability of early detection and screening tools (when indicated)

Need for advanced imaging and screening modalities beyond routine recommendations (e.g., breast MRI instead of mammogram).

Financial burden/high cost; limited convenience; restricted access

More aggressive disease compared to older patients

Requires intensified treatment approaches, including chemotherapy and immunotherapy (e.g., higher prevalence of triple-negative breast cancer).

Financial burden/high cost; delayed adverse events; limited access and availability of new drugs

Higher prevalence of pathogenic/likely pathogenic (P/LP) germline mutations

Need for standardized, simplified genetic testing guidelines across all tumor types.

Financial burden/high cost; family communication challenges and the complexity of cascade testing; risk of stigmatization

Fertility preservation

Many chemotherapeutic agents may impair fertility. Oocyte preservation and sperm banking should be addressed with patients after proper counseling.
The process can be particularly challenging for younger patients.

Financial burden/high cost; limited access to fertility preservation services; procedural difficulty, especially for younger patients

Body image concerns

Need for access to reconstructive and plastic surgery (e.g., mastectomy reconstruction). Psychological impact on body image.

High cost of procedures; limited availability of specialized surgical services